Triumph at Bristol Festival

Last weekend, Chanteuse Chamber Choir and our sister choir Enchantée took the Bristol Festival of Music, Speech and Drama by storm, achieving an incredible four victories across multiple competition classes. Our choirs delivered performances of the highest caliber, impressing the adjudicator and audience alike with their precision, passion, and musical artistry. It was a day filled with unforgettable moments, and we are absolutely thrilled to share our success with you.

Triumph at Bristol Festival

A prestigious festival with a rich history

The Bristol Festival of Music, Speech and Drama, fondly referred to as The Bristol Eisteddfod, has a long and storied tradition dating back to 1903. It was originally founded by William Fowler with the aim of creating a festival open to all, regardless of nationality, and quickly grew in scale and prestige. By 1914, it had attracted over 2,000 competitors, and by 1928, it had swelled to over 6,000 performers, including 50 choirs and 900 folk dancers. Throughout its history, the festival has drawn highly regarded adjudicators such as Sir Adrian Boult, Dame Clara Butt, Dr. Herbert Howells, Gustav Holst, and many more. Today, the festival continues its proud legacy of celebrating artistic excellence and remains one of the UK’s most respected competitive arts events.

A day of unforgettable performances

The competition was fierce, with talented choirs from across the region bringing their very best to the festival. Chanteuse Chamber Choir stood out, claiming first place in three highly competitive categories:

In the Female Voices (Up to 50 voices, Adult 21 years and over) category, our singers delivered a breathtakingly cohesive and expressive performance, showcasing our signature blend of rich harmonies and storytelling.

In the Popular or Show Song (Up to 50 voices, 21 years or over) category, we embraced the vibrancy and theatricality of the genre, captivating the audience with a performances brimming with energy and character.

In the Free Choice Class (Up to 50 voices, Adult 21 years and over), we were able to demonstrate our versatility and artistic depth, selecting pieces that were not only challenging technically but also allowed us to convey deep emotion and connection with the audience.

Meanwhile, our sister choir Enchantée shone in the Sacred Music (Up to 50 voices, Adult 21 years and over) category, delivering a deeply moving and spiritually resonant performance that earned them gold in their class. Their ability to bring out the purity and sensitivity of sacred choral music was nothing short of inspiring.

Expert evaluation by Professor David Hoult

This year’s choir adjudication was led by Professor David Hoult, a seasoned expert with over forty years of experience as an adjudicator for the Federation. Professor Hoult studied at Manchester University, the Royal Northern College of Music, and Lancaster University, and has had an illustrious career as a professional singer, brass player, and educator. As a horn player, he performed with esteemed UK orchestras such as Sadler’s Wells Opera, the Hallé, and the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra. He was also a principal baritone soloist and BBC Northern Singer for over 15 years, performing at prestigious festivals such as The Proms, Edinburgh, and Aldeburgh. His expertise and depth of musical understanding make his praise of our choirs particularly meaningful, and we are honored to have received such wonderful feedback under his adjudication.

Among his comments were:

• "Well-balanced choral sound."

• "Confident, polished performance."

• "Super performance of a beautiful and demanding piece."

• "Coped brilliantly with the complex harmonies."

• "Beautifully judged performance."

• "Outstanding"

• "Virtuosic"

Receiving such wonderful feedback from an esteemed adjudicator, is a testament to the dedication and effort that every member has poured into their craft. These comments reflect not only our musical excellence but also the heartfelt emotion and commitment that go into every performance.

Chanteuse Chamber Choir at the Bristol Festival of Music, Speech & Drama 2025

Words from Our Musical Director

Reflecting on this incredible achievement, our conductor and Musical Director, Sue Brereton-Banks, shared her pride in both choirs:

"I can’t say how proud I am of both choirs. All the dedication and hard work has been worth it. To receive such high marks and to have such wonderful comments from an adjudicator means such a lot. My wonderful ladies come from all walks of life, with ages ranging from their 20s to 70s, and to achieve what they have as I constantly build upon the standard and difficulty level of the music I give them is just fantastic. They are a joy to work with. Well done Chanteuse Chamber Choir and Enchantée!"

Sue's words perfectly capture the essence of what makes Chanteuse and Enchantée so special—our ability to unite as a musical family, embracing challenges and continually striving for excellence.

A Team Effort

These achievements wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering commitment of our singers, our MD and of course, the incredible support of our accompanist, Mr. Steve Williams, whose musicianship helps to bring our performances to life.

What’s Next?

This triumph has set the stage for an exciting season ahead! Stay tuned for more performances, upcoming concerts, and new musical challenges as we continue to push our artistic boundaries.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey, and we would like to take this opportunity to invite you to take a look at our events page where you will find all the details about where and when to see our award-winning choir next.

Let the music play on!

Chanteuse Chamber Choir & Enchantée